OWWA/OMWA Joint Annual Conference Co-hosted by Town of The Blue Mountains and Town of Collingwood Collingwood Newest Blue W Community Mayor Cooper Launches Drinking Water Week

Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper and Collus Executive Director Ed Houghton

"Success in the new Reality" was the slogan of the OWWA/OMWA (Ontario Water Works Association/Ontario Municipal Water Association) Joint Annual Conference co-hosted by the Town of the Blue Mountains and the Town of Collingwood at the Blue Mountain Conference Centre. Dr. Saad Y. Jasim, President, OWWA, said the joint annual conference continues to be the largest Drinking Water Conference and Trade Show in Ontario and Canada "The participation of many municipalities, consulting firms, universities, equipment manufacturers and suppliers is the key to the success of this conference." Collus Executive Director Ed Houghton is the president of the Ontario Municipal Water Association (OMWA). "The conference is considered to be the premier conference for the public water supply sector in Ontario. It is also an opportunity to network with other water professionals and suppliers to share experiences and expertise to strengthen the sector." Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper welcomed conference delegates on behalf of the Town of Collingwood, and participated in the presentation of the George Warren Fuller Award at the opening ceremonies on Monday, May 2, 2011. The George Warren Fuller Award is presented to a Section member for their distinguished service to the water supply field in commemoration of the sound engineering skill, brilliant diplomatic talent and constructive leadership which characterized the life of George Warren Fuller. Collingwood Mayor Sandra Cooper was joined by John Stager, Chief Drinking Water Inspector and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environment, to formally introduce Collingwood as the newest Blue W community. Blue W is a non-profit organization with a goal of providing Canadians with free access to tap water from coast-to-coast by eliminating the invisible barriers often associated with obtaining water while away from home. Municipal buildings and participating private businesses in Collingwood will display a Blue W decal in their window to invite visitors to fill their reusable water bottles free of charge. To further promote Drinking Water Week, Collingwood Utility Services, along with the generous support of industry sponsors, will be present all public elementary school students with a stainless steel water bottle embossed with their school logo to encourage drinking Collingwood's safe, clean tap water. Student representatives from Admiral Collingwood, Cameron Street School, Connaught, Mountain View and St. Mary's were on hand Monday morning with their new water bottles to celebrate Drinking Water Week. To learn more about Blue W, visit the web site at: www.bluew.org

OMWA President Ed Houghton

OMWA's mission is to act as the voice of Ontario's public water supply authorities and their customers on policy, legislative and regulatory issues related to the provision of safe and reliable public water supply in Ontario. We are a unique organization in that our focus is upon the management and administration of public drinking water and our membership is made up of public water supply authorities. www.omwa.org

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